US Army Makes Deep Cuts But Keeps Combat Punch; Capitol Hill Restive

June 25, 2013

In a briefing on Tuesday afternoon that has ignited furious debate on Capitol Hill and in communities that depend on nearby military installations as a key part of their economy, Army Chief Gen. Ray Odierno announced a sweeping plan to cut 12 brigade combat teams (BCT) from the active force by 2017.

The announcement adds critical details to how the service will reduce its end strength by 80,000 soldiers by 2017, but could also be merely the first round in a series of even deeper cuts that the force will endure if sequestration remains the law of the land in 2014 and after.